abuser
n. countablen. a person who treats someone else in a cruel, violent, or unfair way. It can also describe someone who uses something, like a drug, in a way that is harmful.
n. a person who treats another with cruelty or violence, especially on a regular or repeated basis. Also refers to an individual who uses a substance or system in an improper or harmful manner.
The victim finally spoke out against her abuser.
Social workers are trained to identify signs of trauma in children who may be living with an abuser.
The legal system must balance the protection of the vulnerable with the rights of the accused when investigating a suspected abuser within a domestic setting.
From abuse + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly modified by the type of harm, such as 'child abuser' or 'substance abuser'.
Last updated May 8, 2026